Michelle Bello, born Michelle Aisha Bello on September 30, 1982, in London, United Kingdom, is a British-Nigerian film director and film producer. She is also the CEO of Blu Star Entertainment Limited, a Nigerian-based entertainment and publishing company.
Personal Stats
| Full Name | Michelle Bello |
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1982 |
| Birthplace | London, United Kingdom |
| Parents | Father: Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Bello (rtd.) Mother: Sylvaline (American/French-born) |
| Occupation | Film Director, Film Producer |
| Nationality | British-Nigerian |
| Alma Mater | – American University (for Communications, Visual Media) – Regent University (for a master’s degree in Film Directing) |
Early Life
Michelle Bello is the younger of two children and is of Nigerian, French, African-American, and Congolese descent. She spent her early years in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to England at the age of eight. In England, she obtained her GCSE and A-level certificates and discovered her passion for filmmaking.
Career
Bello moved to the United States in 2001 to study communications, specializing in Visual Media, at the American University in Washington D.C. During her studies, she made several short films, including one in Prague, Czech Republic.
After graduating from the American University in 2005, she returned to Nigeria to pursue her dreams of becoming a film producer and director. She began her career by working as an Associate Producer on Mo Abudu’s TV show “Moments with Mo” and producing the award-winning music video “Greenland.”
In 2007, Bello produced and directed her first feature film, “Small Boy,” which gained recognition and won awards, including two Africa Movie Academy Awards. Her second feature film, “Flower Girl,” released in 2013, achieved critical acclaim and marked her as the first female Nigerian director to have a UK theatrical release.
She continued to make strides in the film industry, earning a master’s degree in Communications, specializing in Film Directing, from Regent University in Virginia. Her experiences also included internships at the Cannes Film Festival and attendance at the Sundance Film Festival.
Other Work
Under the Blu Star Entertainment Limited umbrella, Bello published “The Film Directory,” a publication listing Nigerian filmmakers and companies in the industry.
Personal Life
Bello’s family background is diverse, with her Nigerian father, Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Bello, having a distinguished career in the Nigerian Air Force, and her American/French-born mother, Sylvaline, being a prominent arts advocate. Bello’s early exposure to the arts, music, and movies shaped her interests.
Films
- Sheltered (2005) – Director/Producer
- Small Boy (2009) – Director/Producer
- Flower Girl (2013) – Director/Producer
- Immoral Dilemma (2016) – Associate Producer
Television
- Moments with Mo – Season 1 (2007) – Associate Producer
- Sesame Street Nigeria – Season 1 (2010) – Director
Awards And Nominations
Michelle Bello has received numerous awards and nominations for her work, including the Trailblazer Award at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards in 2014, as well as awards for her films such as “Small Boy” and “Flower Girl.”
Her films have been recognized and nominated at various film festivals and awards, including the Africa Movie Academy Awards and the Hollywood Black Film Festival.
